Propulsion apparatus



7 Feb. 22, 1927.

v J, O. COOKE PROPULSION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1926 Patented Pet. 22, 1927.

EUNITE'D STATES P Arsur oFr ICE.

ofthe direction oftravelieissn aonn'o. oooxn, or nAY'roNA-BEAcn, FLORIDA.

'raorunsioit ArrAnA'rUs.

Application filed :r ebruary 22,1926. Serial no. 90,135. r

pelling-vessels of all types.

'One of the objects of the invention isto provide an apparatus of simple construction, by. means of which a maximumpower may be developed and'utilized for propelling a vessel. A, further objectisto provide a propeller of thechain type to be mounted on the sides of the hull of a vessel, said propeller being capable of operatingin either direction to effect forward or reverse travel of the vessel, or to steer the same at will. A further object is toprovide a chain; type propeller having paddle blades of simple construction, which are firmly braced to effectively react against water irrespective The invention-will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out i-n' the claims. 1 j I T In the accompanying drawing Figure '1 is af-si'de elevation of a boat equipped with a propeller apparatus -constructed in accordance with the invention.

suitable or desired manner, but for purposes of illustration drive shafts 13 and 1d are em ployed, each carrying sprocket wheels 15..

As shown, the shafts 13 and 14 are provided with pinions a, b, respectively, which mesh with the differential pinion 0, carried by a casing or support which is provided with the main drive pinion (Z of a conventionally illustrated differential gearing. A drive pinion e on shaft f meshes with the pinion d which is loosely mounted on the shaft 14.

' Power is supplied to the shaft 7 by means of any desired form of prime mover in a manner well understood in the art.

Engaging the sprockets of each set of wheels 15 is a sprocket chain 17, consisting of two parallel members, each formed of links 18, pivotally connected to cross shafts 19. The sprocket wheels 15 have recesses which engage said cross shafts to effect the driveof the chain. Pivotally mounted at one end on each cross shaft 19- are pairs of arms 20, paddle blades 21, 22, of wood-or other suitable material being bolted to said arms. The outer end of each paddle blade 22 is loosely. engaged bythe free ends of a pair .of brace rods 23, the ether'ends of which are-each pivoted toa link 18, as indicated at 24;. Said free endsflof the brace rods 22 extend through the respective blades, and relative movementof the blades and the brace rods is limited bystops, such .asnuts 25- on the free ends of said rods.

in operation the drive shafts .13 are .rotated from any suitable power source through the gearing 16, and by reasonof the engagement of the sprocket-s 15 gwith the chain 17 causes said chain and the blades carried therebyto travel forwardly. or rearof clutch orgearing, and ina likemanner the sprocket wheels 15 on one slde may be rotated independently of those on the other side of the vessel. As the chains are caused to travel, the blades 21 and 22 dip into and V I push against the water, and by reason of the reaction developed by their travel through the water, the" vessel is propelled.

It will be noted that when the blades 21. and 22 are '-in propelling position the two blades of each pair abut against'each other, so that blades 21 will cause forward travel of the vessel and blades 22 will cause rearward travel according to the direction of travel of the sprockets.- When said blades travel around the sprocket wheels, due to the difference in angular relation of the links 18 at these points, the two blades will separate into an approximately right angular relation until they pass over the sprocket, whereupon as the links are again brought into alignment the blades are again brought together. r

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the'art to which it belongs. It will be particularly noted that by reason of the sprocket and chain arrangement, together wit-h the dis position of the blades, a maximum propelling power is obtained. An important advantage lies in the arrangement of the blades in pairs, so that one or the other blade of the pair acts to drive the-vessel, depending upon which direction the chain is caused to travel.

Therefore, whichever blade is operated as a.

constructed with an overhanging deck, as

shown, the same serves to protect the propeller from damage.

Having thus explained the nature of the in vcntion and described an operative manner oi constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms inwhich it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is 1. A propulsion apparatus of thecharacter described comprising sprocket wheels, sprocket chains :formed oi pivotally connected links engaging said wheels, pairs of paddle blades each pivotally connected at one end to said chain, means for causing the free ends of the paddles to separate as said addles pass around the s arocket wheels, and

riving means operatively connected with one of said sprockets.

2. A propulsion apparatus of the character described comprising a driving spocket and a driven sprocket, a s rocket chain connecting saidsprockets am formed of pivotally connected links, blades arranged in pairs and each having one end pivotally mounted upon a pivotal connection of said links,brace rods extending from said links to the blades and having means for limitin g movement of the free ends of the blades in one direction, the brace rods of each pair extending in opposite directions, whereby the free ends of the blades will separate as they t 'avel around the sprocket wheels.

3. A propulsion apparatus of the character described comprising a driving sprocket wheel, a driven sprocket wheel, a sprocket chain engaging said wheels and formed of spaced apart members, each member consisting of a plurality of links, pivot rods connecting said links and also connecting said members, paddle bladesarranged in pairs, the blades of each pair being pivoted at one end on a commonpivo-trod, and pivoted brace rods extending from the links and loosely connected with the blades near the free ends thereoh said brace rods of each pair extending in opposite directions.

4. The combination with the hull of a vessel, of chain propellers on one side of the vessel, each propeller having blades ar ranged in pairs on a common pivot so that either blade is active and the other inactive according to the direction of travel of the propeller, and a differential ear interposed between said propellers an, a source of power. a

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

a t i JOHN COOKIE. 

